Brandon Y Completes $100,000 Expansion

Brandon Family Y renovation project manager Mike Hurlburt explains the changes to members of the community to the now-complete expansion done to the facility that has been serving area residence for more than two decades.

“This renovation is simply a response to our members’ needs,” said Brandon Y Executive Director George Sorensen during a grand opening tour of the expansion project on the facility, which has been serving area residents for more than two decades and has been in need of a renovation, which is now nearly complete.

Following a brief introduction, Sorensen emphasized that both new and longtime members have been verbal about the necessity of some additional space and fitness equipment to support their needs.

“Since its establishment in 1989, the Brandon Y, has helped community residents to grow strong in spirit, mind and body,” Sorensen said. “We are so appreciative of the support the community has given back to the Y over the years. This expansion is just one way to demonstrate our continued commitment to them.”

The $100,000 project, which began in February, focused on accommodating the facility’s wellness center and youth activity area, both of which received a face lift as well as some extra sq. footage.

The wellness center received an additional 2,000 sq. feet, rubber floored space, filled with 10 new pieces of exercise equipment, including seven treadmills, two new ellipticals and one new cycling machine. A new restroom as well as an approximately 200-sq.-ft. stretching area was also added to the mix.

“The expansion of our wellness center was a must as we have simply outgrown the existing area,” Sorensen said.

The second portion of the construction focused on maximizing the space available for the youth activity center, which will now provide more room for both the daily and afternoon or after school programs held at the Y.

To accomplish this phase of the project, renovation manager Mike Hurlburt explained that the three existing racquetball courts were utilized as it provided all the space needed.

“We turned one of the courts into a new 800-sq.-ft. dance studio, while the other two combined will now serve as the new youth activity center,” Hurlburt said.

The carpeted educationally-driven center, located across from the gymnastics center, which will continue to offer a full range of gymnastics and tumbling programs for youth, teens and adults, will feature several computer stations, arts and craft tables and a rock climbing wall to keep the children busy, just to name a few.

The Brandon Family Y is located at 3097 S. Kingsway Rd. in Seffner, and looks for volunteers to help with its various programs. Anyone interested in getting involved can contact the Y at 685-5402 for more information.